RIM launched three new BlackBerry 7 smartphones worldwide, and in a very smart move that will benefit small businesses who don't have a large IT department managing BlackBerry servers and services, Research In Motion (RIM) launched BlackBerry Management Center, a free online service for small businesses to centrally manage company, or employee-owned BlackBerry smartphones in the cloud and protect business-related content stored on the handsets. The service is designed for businesses with up to 100 BlackBerry smartphones that access email services from an Internet service provider (ISP) or web-based email services like Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo!.

BlackBerry Management Center makes it easy to manage company- or employee-owned smartphones in the cloud, and helps to minimize risk from lost or stolen handsets to keep business moving forward.

Small businesses can use the service to:

-Wirelessly back up BlackBerry smartphones automatically on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to aid in the recovery of lost business-related content stored on the handset-Protect content on an employee's lost or stolen BlackBerry smartphone by remotely locking it and, if necessary, wiping the contents, including the microSD card-Locate a lost BlackBerry smartphone by remotely locking it, initiating a loud ring, and displaying a message on the Home screen-Easily restore the settings and content on a new or replacement device-Reset a password